The Lord Is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!
Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
This ancient exchange is one of the earliest greetings of the Christian Church, a proclamation passed down through centuries and across cultures. It is also the joyful declaration we will share again this Easter as we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at the Church of Our Saviour (4416 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island) on April 5, 2026. We will mark the day with three services: a sunrise service at 7:00 a.m. on the beach behind The Sanctuary, followed by services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on our church campus. Choosing a favorite among these services feels a bit like choosing a favorite child—but if I’m honest, the Sunrise Service holds a particularly special place in my heart and in the life of the Sea Islands. Morning itself carries the promise of newness: the quiet rebirth of a new day, light slowly pushing back darkness. There is no better setting to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus than to worship as both the sun and the Son rise together. The morning begins in darkness, echoing the Gospel story of the women who came to the tomb while it was still early, still shadowed by grief and uncertainty. A handful of worshipers arrive before dawn, gathering quietly along the shore. Just before the sun peeks over the Atlantic horizon, people begin appearing from every direction—walking the beach, emerging from boardwalks, coming alone or in groups—drawn together to worship and proclaim resurrection. What begins as a small gathering soon swells into hundreds, and often more than a thousand. The community that forms that morning is as beautiful as it is diverse. Families and retirees, longtime island residents and vacationers all stand side by side. Some arrive in beach attire, others with folding chairs or blankets. Co ee mugs are plentiful, as are bare feet in the sand, and every year a few well-behaved dogs make their Easter appearance. Many people plan their entire Easter morning around this service; others join simply because they were already walking the beach and felt an unexpected invitation to stay. As the service concludes, the sky is fully awake and the once-quiet beach is alive with light and song. People linger—exchanging quiet greetings, brushing sand from their feet, or standing still to watch the horizon. Here, the resurrection is proclaimed not only with words and hymns, but with light breaking through darkness and strangers gathered as neighbors. The same Christ who met the women at the empty tomb meets us still—right where we are. So let me extend an invitation to you. Join us this Easter morning at 7:00 a.m. behind The Sanctuary for a joyful celebration of new life, or worship with us later at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. All are welcome, wherever you are on your faith journey. To learn more about our Easter services, including a video from last year’s sunrise celebration, visit www.oursavioursc.com. Come and see. Come as the sun rises. And join us in proclaiming together: Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. The Very Rev. Karl Burns Rector, Church of Our Saviour, John’s Island SC.
